Navy Pier Festival Hall

Navy Pier Festival Hall is Chicago's premier large-scale exhibition and event venue, serving as the main exhibition space within the historic Navy Pier complex. Originally part of Municipal Pier which opened to the public in 1916 as part of Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago, the facility was renamed...

Navy Pier Festival Hall is Chicago's premier large-scale exhibition and event venue, serving as the main exhibition space within the historic Navy Pier complex. Originally part of Municipal Pier which opened to the public in 1916 as part of Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago, the facility was renamed Navy Pier in 1927 to honor naval veterans who served in World War I. The venue has a rich history spanning over a century, having served as a shipping facility, military training center during both World Wars, university campus, and now as one of the Midwest's most visited attractions. Festival Hall encompasses over 170,000 square feet of fully customizable exhibition space that can be used as one large room or divided into two separate halls: Hall A spans 113,000 square feet and can accommodate 600 standard 10x10 booths, while Hall B covers 57,000 square feet with space for 300 booths. The venue features impressive 60-foot ceilings, versatile rigging options, and an eight-truck loading dock for seamless setup and breakdown. Festival Hall hosts a diverse range of events including major trade shows like EXPO CHICAGO Contemporary Art Fair, consumer exhibitions, concerts, galas, and corporate events. The facility is supported by 36 adjacent meeting rooms totaling over 44,000 square feet, providing comprehensive conference and breakout session capabilities. Located on Chicago's iconic lakefront with unparalleled views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan, Festival Hall offers modern amenities including telecommunications, electricity, and plumbing connections throughout the space. The venue's strategic location at Navy Pier provides attendees access to dining, entertainment, shopping, and parking facilities, making it a complete destination for exhibitions and events. As part of Navy Pier's ongoing evolution, Festival Hall continues to serve industries ranging from contemporary art and design to technology and manufacturing, cementing its position as a cornerstone venue in Chicago's exhibition landscape.